Damien McElroy
banner
damienmcelroy.bsky.social
Damien McElroy
@damienmcelroy.bsky.social
Foreign Correspondent
Reposted by Damien McElroy
"Living in the UAE has been good for our daughters. Where else, I wonder, could 13-year-old girls feel confident and safe enough to take a taxi to and from a water park on their own," writes The National's Phil Johnson.
From tears after leaving Scotland to smiles in Abu Dhabi, my teens are thriving in UAE school life | The National
www.thenationalnews.com
August 30, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
To my own surprise, I’m quoted in al-Arab and its sister publication, Arab Weekly. I have no idea what this is about. I have not spoken to either publication, and I don’t recognize the quote at all. Perhaps it’s an AI-written article?

alarab.co.uk/%D8%AD%D9%8A...

thearabweekly.com/syrias-break...
June 20, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
now *this* is the anecdote of the day
April 12, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
The EU is not fighting the Houthis and its mission in the Red Sea is "totally defensive", Admiral Vasileios Gryparis, commander of Operation Aspides, tells The National
We're not here to fight the Houthis, EU Red Sea commander says | The National
In recent days, the US Central Command has launched multiple strikes on the Yemeni rebels
www.thenationalnews.com
April 3, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
Caving to popular demand, I hereby present a PDF of the form for all to use. You may wish to improvise around its rather bespoke prompt for a 'favourite Minecraft Mob' but, hey, a lot of government forms can seem weirdly specific, so why not this one?

drive.google.com/file/d/1mZ09...
TOOTHFORM.pdf
drive.google.com
March 16, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
The UK is wielding considerable influence in post-Assad Syria, through a combination of political connections, charity operations and a well-networked returning diaspora
Britain’s influence spreads through new Syria | The National
UK turns to low-key social and diplomatic links to quietly shape post-Assad transition
www.thenationalnews.com
February 19, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
'We can breathe now and look ahead’, says Palestinian diplomat
www.channel4.com/news/we-can-...
We can breathe now and look ahead’, says Palestinian diplomat
We spoke to Husam Zomlot, head of the Palestinian mission to the UK.
www.channel4.com
January 15, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
Freedom of information in the UK is 20 years old today. It was on 1st Jan 2005 that the UK’s FOI laws came into force – giving all of us the legal right to obtain certain information from public authorities.
January 1, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Iran’s desperate scramble for weapons parts is a big part of the global dirty war. www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comm...
Iran's jailing of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala has nothing to do with journalism | The National
The reporter, currently being held in Evin Prision, has been caught up in a wider world scramble for defence equipment
www.thenationalnews.com
December 31, 2024 at 5:17 PM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
SETF's Moustafa says Biden administration was complicit in Assad government "crimes," calls for administration to be held accountable; blames Brett McGurk specifically, and Biden for empowering him: www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/...
Biden, Obama complicit in Assad's crimes against humanity: Head of US-based Syrian advocacy group
‘It is a shame that both the Obama administration officials and the Biden administration officials will take to their grave their policy on Syria,’ says head of Syrian Emergency Task Force - Anadolu A...
www.aa.com.tr
December 29, 2024 at 11:35 AM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
Sorry to hear that my old college Master, Professor Colin Renfrew, has passed away. Giant of archaeology & origins of Indo-European, modern art champion
www.jesus.cam.ac.uk/articles/pro...

@jesuscollegecam.bsky.social @cambridgeuni.bsky.social
Professor Lord Colin Renfrew (1937-2024)
It is with great sadness that the College notes the death of Professor Colin Renfrew, Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn.
www.jesus.cam.ac.uk
December 20, 2024 at 12:52 PM
What a pre-Trump hand of cards: South Korea, Japan, France, Germany plus Canada
Hard to think of a worst time for Canada not to have a stable government
December 16, 2024 at 9:54 PM
In dancing terms when does the Syrian two-step become a line dance for Iran? t.co/VSSvNYOUQ2
https://www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comment/2024/12/10/as-iran-weakens-how-will-trump-deal-with-yemens-houthis/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1733809740
t.co
December 10, 2024 at 7:33 AM
Starmer’s dilemma: deepening ties to Europe would be a cop-out on Trump and the Special Relationship. www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202... www.ft.com/content/88ad...
Starmer’s battle to preserve the special relationship under Trump
Britain’s long-standing alliance with America faces its biggest test yet
www.telegraph.co.uk
December 1, 2024 at 11:41 AM
Reposted by Damien McElroy
Anyway, he said that he and his partner now use the phrase "That's a Gregg Wallace hairnet if ever I saw one" or "That's a Gregg Wallace hairnet writ large" in reference to a rule that's enforced for the sake of it. Which I like very much.
November 28, 2024 at 7:13 PM
Russia’s war in Ukraine will continue to push European rearmament, whatever happens with ceasefire talks. www.thenationalnews.com/opinion/comm...
The groundwork for a post-ceasefire Ukraine is being laid now | The National
Donald Trump will have to deal with a long-term scenario for the war's end, and Europe will have to adapt
www.thenationalnews.com
November 26, 2024 at 8:08 AM